Gretna miss promotion

May 20 2009 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

GRETNA’S promotion hopes ended after Monday night’s clash with Stirling University finished 3-3.

Both teams needed to win to keep alive any hope of catching Civil Service Strollers, and the match had all the excitement and never-say-die attitude of a cup final.

A packed Raydale Park saw Gretna take an early lead after only five minutes through an own goal.

A ball sent across the Stirling box found the head of a defender who steered the ball into the back of his own net to the glee of the home support.

A minute later it was nearly Gretna’s Simon Ruddick’s turn to blush as his clearing header from a dangerous cross was only inches from his own net.

But it was the home side which was dominating the early exchanges and they made it 2-0 on the 21st minute.

A great long ball found the tireless Dan Carmichael who rode the challenge of his marker, took the ball round the keeper and slotted home a fantastic goal.

It was looking like it was going to be Gretna’s game, but the lead saw them ease off the gas a little and they paid the price.

A long ball wasn’t dealt with by the Gretna defence and Stirling’s forward Callum Forbes took full advantage, heading the ball past Josh Richardson.

Gretna changed their shape at half-time, bringing on Sean Bannon for David Seggie to add some height to their attacks.

But it was Stirling who scored next, in the 73rd minute, with Forbes getting his second of the night, in what was turning into an incredible match.

A corner played into the box wasn’t dealt with and squeezed past the keeper’s near post after a stramash in the box.

The home team looked visible deflated at the restart, but the crowd of 263 looked to spur their side on.

But Stirling had the momentum, and it showed in the 92nd minute when they took the lead for the first time of the match.

The shot by Sam French fizzed in off the post to give the visitors what looked to be an injury time winner.

But Gretna grabbed an equaliser a minute through Ryan Errington.

There was pandemonium in the stands as promotion hopes were resurrected.

And in the dying moments Gretna were inches from getting the winner when Adam McMath’s shot edged just wide.

The final whistle went, sounding the end of both sides promotion hunt with teams slumping on the pitch feeling defeated.

Afterwards Gretna boss Stuart Rome said: “It was a great effort from the lads.

“They played a few days ago and had to put in a huge amount of effort again, and I can’t fault their effort.

“Tony Nicolson was fantastic. He was in a lot of pain, but it shows the character of the lad that there was no way he would miss the match. He’s a great leader. It’s just a shame we couldn’t get the win. We were two goals up, and looking good.

“It’s a shame for both sides because I think we’re the two best footballing sides in the division. But playing football well doesn’t always win you games. Overall it’s been a fantastic season for the club, it’s just a shame we couldn’t end it with promotion.”

Gretna: Richardson, Rea, Ruddick, Johnston, Errington, Jeffery, Rudd (McMath 88), Seggie (Bannon 45) (Milligan 79), Wood, Carmichael, Nicolson. Subs not used: Trestianu, Murphy.